Captain Kangaroo

From the info I've obtained, Gerry Faust's affiliation with UA and ND played a major role in getting this deal finalized.

From what I'm told, Hipsher also had a "motivational room" designed for beneath the arena.

I'm guessing Ryan Bain sat out, and Zac Kasparek, Mike Ward, Chris Kemme and Eric Lively were playing in the defensive backfield?

He signed a LOI, so he will be a Zip in 2008.Does this mean that an extra scholarship was "freed up" from perhaps CJ7 or another player leaving he program?I think the team always keeps a scholarship or two..or three...open for walk-ons to earn, or in the event someone like Ryan Bain shows up in the summer.

He signed a LOI, so he will be a Zip in 2008.

It started with K.e.n.t., then George Mason, and now Davidson (whom Western Michigan beat in '08). It appears as though mid-majors making deep tourney runs is becoming commonplace? By the Zips beating a 20-win ACC team in their own arena, you can see the gap between mid-major and "power conference" is becoming much smaller. I'm guessing that, in two years, the Zips are ready to make some real post-season noise. KD always seems to get the most out of his talent. And to the nay-sayers, I contend that, until now, our talent has honestly been "NIT-level." The 2007 and 2008 recruiting classes have much more talent and upside than the classes that recently graduated. Next year will be rough, early on. But I'm guessing we'll make some noise in the MAC tourney. And LOOK-OUT in 2009-10!

You can judge him by one half of one game, and one mistake by one player...or by the body of his work:Six 20-win seasons. 3 NIT's. Two NCAA's.The guy can coach. And whomever takes over for him in 2008-9 will have a loaded roster. K.e.n.t. isn't going anywhere.

For you Cross Country recruiting zealots

Very pedestrian column. He's capable of much better. Anyone notice that the Zips win over Florida State was never mentioned in the PD until that series of notes? Maybe this was the "make up?"

Some nice notes from Mike Rasor's Blog

I've seen him. He's 285. He didn't play last year because he's fairly new to football (I think he only played 2 years of HS?). And, to go from Youngstown Rayen to UA is a pretty academic big leap. I know he made the Dean's List for the fall semester....so if his football progress is anything like his scholastic progress...he could have a significant impact this year.

They had 5 practices, then had a week off for spring break. I just don't think there was a whole heck of a lot to report.

I hear they the affected players were late to the "Team Quilting Bee," and subsequently dismissed. But that's just what I heard...

Looking forward to watching him play! We need a game-breaking WR to step in and contribute immediately. I saw his films, and he looks great. Very elusive once he catches the ball.

Assuming they girls are off the team...I'm guessing they had just finished running extra stadium laps to help them get in to shape for the 2008-9 season...and were just getting ready to visit some local high schools to lecture kids about the evils of drugs and alcohol...when the evil Coach Kest put the hammer down. That's usually how it goes....

I would love to see KD recruit a player that is ranked top 150 in the entire country, then Akron would truly dominate. Having a recruit that is one of the best in your state, doesn't necessarily mean he is a high impact player. The crop of players at that position could be particularly weak in that state during that year. I would also like to KD recruit a player hat is ranked in the nations top 20 at their respective positions.I like our staff to recruit good student athletes. Who cares where some internet site rates them...

I think at this point, I think Bryan Hipsher and a couple firecrackers would do the trick.

Huge game for the Zips, and we really have no excuses. We're as healthy as we could ever hope for, and we've had several days off...on spring break (no missed classes), none the less.Last time we were in the NIT I think we beat Temple in OT, then had to play at Creighton the following night? That was asking a bit much.I like our chances. After the FSU game, we should be playing with a lot of confidence.Which Dials will show up?

If that were any part of the debate, you might have a point. But it isn't.The debate is: "Does WMU have a legit gripe regarding no being in the post season?"To state that a 20-win MAC team, with a top 25 win, who has several wins over tourney teams, is "whining" is ludicrous. Especially coming from a Zips/MAC fan only one year removed from a snub. And only a month-or-so away from losing to them by 20.

If you can't see that WMU would have a legit gripe being left out of this year's post season, after their 20-win season where they beat a top-25 team, beat Akron (NIT) by 20 and beat Miami (CBI)...you'll never "get it."

Our low 2006-7 RPI and SOS were a key factors in us not getting into the NIT.WMU beat Pepperdine, beat Davidson (Top 25), beat Southern Illinois, beat AKRON...for them to claim they're equal, or more deserving than OU or Miami (neither of whom beat the Zips in 2007-8) is hardly "whining." They were a very good ball club in 2007-8.I don't think the MAC will ever get respect nationally...it seems even the people most-familiar with the conference don't give it's better teams any respect. How can we expect someone in Des Moines or Birmingham to do so?

2006-7 Zips fan calling the 2007-8 WMU "kettle" black?

Evil, evil thing to do when you're 19. Glad no one on this board ever did that!

Cleveland media will always cover OSU first, CSU (if they're doing anything noteworthy) second and the Zips somewhere thereafter. Who can blame them?The Beacon -- Shocker that coverage would be sparse.The PD -- The game finished too late to make print.To 99% of the public this is NCAA Tourney time. The NIT is simply a space filler between what are popularly considered "the real games." That's just the way it is. That's why is sucked to lose in the MAC Championship for consecutive years. It's kept us from being "Page 1." All the attention K.e.n.t. is getting, and will get over the next few days...they earned it. Hopefully we'll be in the same position one day.

Joe Dunn??!!